Welcome to the AC Tropical Fish aquarium forum. Our aquarium forum is the place to discuss any aquarium related issue in a friendly environment. Our aquarium forum welcomes aquarists of all levels from beginners to experts. Please ask a question in the how to section of our forum or read the FAQ section if you have any questions. register to and become a part of our friendly aquarium forum community today.

20 Gallon in planning

0

So, I'm trying to plan out my first aquarium. I'm looking at a "24 1/4"L x 12 1/2"W x 16 3/4"H" 20 Gallon tank. I'd go bigger, but this would fit perfectly in a spot in my room right now.

Anyways, I've been debating long and hard on the species. I've pretty much ruled out a Clown Loach(Really wanted one too! Maybe one day.) and Tiger Barbs. DO you guys think these fish would get along and have room in that size tank?

12 Neon Tetras
2 Otocinclus
1 Betta
3-4 Freshwater Snails of some sort. Any suggestions on the species? I remember having some in a tank when I was younger, but I don't remember what kind they were.

Otos require schools so you need a minimum 8 of them, however they eat algae 24/7 so a 20G wouldn't support enough algae to keep them. You can add cucumber for them but really they aren't suited to small tanks.

1 betta and 12-15 neons sounds pretty good to me if you look in the snail section of the forum a member posted 2 pics of their nerite snails, awesome colours so check it out.

I commend you for doing some research and not getting a clown loach!!! They are beautiful fish but that is their downfall. Reaching 14 inches long, needing a school of 6+ and living for 40 years 99% of aquarium owners don't have the means to keep them.

Don't know how new to the forum you are but read up on cycling a tank if your a newbie

Well, I'm glad to hear that the betta, tetras and snails will work out. Are there any of the "sucker fish" that would be able to work in a 20g setup? I really like them but alas, I don't have enough money to buy a larger tank at the moment.

Some people may tell you than certain plecostomus will work in a 20 gallon, but more will tell you to go at least to a 30 gallon for them. To add interest to the bottom, I would add shrimp. Something with color like red cherry shrimp. I would highly recommend ordering shrimp online to save money. In stores Tvs can easily go for $3-5 each. Online you typically pay around $1.

Once your tank is cycled, I would add your neons than snails and shrimp. Wait until last to add the betta and get him as young as you can. Take you time picking a betta too, there ate so many types of bettas out there. My most recent betta is a blue/green half-moon double tail. He's absolutely gorgeous.

Someday, when I have all the fish tanks I want, I hope to be featured on an episode of animal hoarders.

Received some great advice? Be sure to show your appreciation by giving rep points! Click the scale on the upper right of that wonderful post and tell someone

Wow, as cool as a 7 inch catfish would be, that would need a way bigger tank!
But Cory, what would you recommend to make this work as a 20 gallon? I'm just not going to have enough money to get a larger tank at the moment.